Patents by Inventor Samuel N. Crane

Samuel N. Crane has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8881718
    Abstract: A fuel-fired combustor includes a housing with a combustion chamber. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A fuel inlet to the housing supplies fuel to the combustion chamber. An igniter ignites a mixture of exhaust gas and fuel to produce a flame for increasing an internal temperature. At least one sensor measures or monitors at least one combustor characteristic and generates a corresponding combustor characteristic signal. A controller receives the combustor characteristic signal, compares the combustor characteristic signal to a predetermined combustor criteria and generates an output signal to change at least one combustor operating condition if the combustor characteristic signal varies from the predetermined combustor criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies USA, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Parrish, Samuel N. Crane, Jr., Wilbur H. Crawley, II
  • Patent number: 8359842
    Abstract: An airless nozzle and fuel deliver system for a fuel-fired burner sprays fuel droplets for ignition to increase heat for regenerating an exhaust component. A source of pressurized fuel delivers pressurized fuel to a first fuel injector. In response to a first control signal, the first fuel injector is opened and fuel pressure is increased to a desired level to open a valve such that the fuel can be delivered to the airless nozzle. The airless nozzle sprays fuel droplets for a period of time that the first fuel injector is open. In response to a second control signal, the first fuel injector is closed and a second fuel injector is opened such that fuel is vented to decrease fuel pressure between the valve and the first fuel injector to stop the spray of fuel droplets by closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Emcon Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wilbur H. Crawley, II, Samuel N. Crane, Jr., Zhiwei Yang, Navin Khadiya
  • Publication number: 20110174264
    Abstract: An airless nozzle and fuel deliver system for a fuel-fired burner sprays fuel droplets for ignition to increase heat for regenerating an exhaust component. A source of pressurized fuel delivers pressurized fuel to a first fuel injector. In response to a first control signal, the first fuel injector is opened and fuel pressure is increased to a desired level to open a valve such that the fuel can be delivered to the airless nozzle. The airless nozzle sprays fuel droplets for a period of time that the first fuel injector is open. In response to a second control signal, the first fuel injector is closed and a second fuel injector is opened such that fuel is vented to decrease fuel pressure between the valve and the first fuel injector to stop the spray of fuel droplets by closing the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Wilbur H. Crawley, II, Samuel N. Crane, JR., Zhiwei Yang, Navin Khadiya
  • Publication number: 20110047979
    Abstract: A fuel-fired combustor includes a housing with a combustion chamber. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A fuel inlet to the housing supplies fuel to the combustion chamber. An igniter ignites a mixture of exhaust gas and fuel to produce a flame for increasing an internal temperature. At least one sensor measures or monitors at least one combustor characteristic and generates a corresponding combustor characteristic signal. A controller receives the combustor characteristic signal, compares the combustor characteristic signal to a predetermined combustor criteria and generates an output signal to change at least one combustor operating condition if the combustor characteristic signal varies from the predetermined combustor criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tony Parrish, Samuel N. Crane, JR., Wilbur H. Crawley, II
  • Publication number: 20090180937
    Abstract: An emission abatement assembly includes a fuel-fired burner having a housing and a combustion chamber positioned within the housing. The combustion chamber includes a wall circumscribing a space. The emission abatement assembly further includes an exhaust gas inlet pipe having an elbow at an outlet end positioned within the housing. The elbow is positioned to direct an entire flow of exhaust gas in a direction toward an interior wall of the housing such that the entire flow of exhaust gas exiting the elbow impinges upon the interior wall prior to reaching the wall and space of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: John P. Nohl, Samuel N. Crane, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090178394
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement assembly includes detecting a burner shutdown request. The method further includes adjusting an air-to-fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture being supplied to the burner to a ratio greater than a stoichiometric ratio in response to the burner shutdown request. The method further includes advancing the adjusted air/fuel mixture to an electrode assembly of the burner for a predetermined amount of time in response to the burner shutdown request. The method further includes shutting down the burner after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. An associated emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Samuel N. Crane, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090178389
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement assembly includes advancing exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine to the fuel-fired burner. The method further includes determining an amount of useable oxygen present in the exhaust gas. The method further includes adjusting an amount of fuel supplied to the burner based upon the amount of useable oxygen present in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Samuel N. Crane, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080271447
    Abstract: A method includes supplying combustion air to a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement device from a turbocharger. During periods of low turbo boost pressure, combustion air is supplied to the fuel-fired burner from an auxiliary source. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: John B. Abel, Navin Khadiya, Samuel N. Crane
  • Patent number: 7244281
    Abstract: A plasma fuel reformer assembly for producing reformate gas includes a fuel reformer having an air/fuel input assembly, an electrode assembly, and a soot trap positioned downstream of the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode that is spaced apart from the first electrode. The fuel reformer further includes a reformer controller electrically coupled to the air/fuel input assembly. The reformer controller includes a processing unit electrically connected to a memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel N. Crane, Jr., William Taylor, III
  • Patent number: 6959542
    Abstract: An emission abatement assembly includes one or more DPNR devices for removing both NOX and particulate soot from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Reformate gas from a fuel reformer is used to selectively regenerate the DPNR device or devices. A method of operating an emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Taylor, III, Samuel N. Crane, Jr., Yougen Kong
  • Patent number: 6843054
    Abstract: An emission abatement assembly includes a pair of NOx traps arranged in a parallel arrangement. A fuel reformer generates a reductant fluid in the form of a reformate gas which is selectively supplied one of the traps during regeneration thereof. During regeneration of the trap, engine exhaust gas is directed through the other trap. A catalyzed soot filter is positioned downstream of the NOx traps. A method of operating an emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Taylor, III, Samuel N. Crane, Jr., Yougen Kong
  • Publication number: 20040139729
    Abstract: An emission abatement assembly includes a pair of NOx traps arranged in a parallel arrangement. A fuel reformer generates a reductant fluid in the form of a reformate gas which is selectively supplied one of the traps during regeneration thereof. During regeneration of the trap, engine exhaust gas is directed through the other trap. A catalyzed soot filter is positioned downstream of the NOx traps. A method of operating an emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: William Taylor, Samuel N. Crane, Yougen Kong
  • Publication number: 20040052693
    Abstract: An emission abatement system includes a NOX trap, a heat exchanger, and a fuel reformer. The heat exchanger cools exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine prior to advancement thereof into the NOX trap. The fuel reformer reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformate gas which is supplied to the NOX trap thereby facilitating regeneration of the NOX trap at relatively cool temperatures. A method of operating an emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Samuel N. Crane, William Taylor